Be advised that this documentary is very disturbing, but it strikes at the heart of the issue of conflict diamonds and Sierra Leone's Civil War.
Issues raised by this documentary:
Conflict diamonds
Refugees - forced migration.
Child soldiers.
Global connections.
Assignment: Songs of Protest
One story that emerges from the Sierra Leone's civil war is that of the refugee. Many people were displaced by this conflict internally and externally. Some people left for the Republic of Guinea where they were housed in the Sembakounya Refugee Camp. Within this chaos and human misery emerged a music group, Refugee All Stars.
This assignment is threefold:
Understand and appreciate protest music, and the global sounds of West African music.
Understand and appreciate what the life of a refugee is like.
Create a song, perform it or record it to be played in class.
Directions: Analyze the song Weapon Conflict in terms of its message and purpose.
Background: From 1991 to 2002, the small West African country of Sierra Leone was
devastated by civil war in which brutal war crimes were committed by all sides. To
escape the violence, hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled to the neighboring
country of Guinea, where they lived for years in United Nations refugee camps. Out of
these circumstances emerged the band, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, who perform
the song Weapon Conflict.
Lyrics to Weapon Conflict
A weapon conflict for the sake of power (repeats)
When two elephants are fighting
The grass they will suffer
(repeats)
Which is the position of the civilian, Lord I cry
Them a big fool us (repeats)
Have no mercy for the old ones
Have no mercy for the children
Have no mercy for the women
Oh, we a go suffer (repeats) Questions
1. What social issues are addressed in this song?
2. Explain the main message or theme of this song.
3. How do the historical context details provided on this page (see above) and the images in the
video help you to interpret this song?
4. What the main message or theme of this song?
Part II - "This is our song"
In preparation for you to actually write a protest song you will have to know something about the issues impacting on the African continent. They are varied, but there are some themes that your text identifies. Therefore, begin by reading pp. 460-469.
In addition to that above consider any other issue of importance in Africa:
Now comes the fun part. Write and perform a song (live or recorded).
Keep It Simple Three Even Easier Steps for Writing a Protest Song
1. Pick a topic.
2. Pick a song you like and are familiar with.
3. Replace that song's lyrics with your own lyrics about your topic.
4. Sing!
Rubric:
This assignment is worth 25 points and applies to the Tests and Projects.
A: Your song demonstrates effort, and accurately reflects themes from Africa. It is neatly typed and free from spelling errors. Your song also makes sense and totally rocks. It's the kind of song someone of my limited taste would gladly put on an album. To earn the “A” you must perform or play a recording of your song for the class.
B/B+: Your song reflects effort. It may contain a minor factual error but it demonstrates your understanding of protest music. It is neatly typed and is basically free from spelling errors. Must be performed or play a recording of it.
C/C+: You get the idea of protest music, but your song does not demonstrate effort and/or it may contain more than one factual error. It may have multiple spelling errors or obvious problems with rhyme or meter. Hey, I'm not a Language Arts teacher, but I know problems when I hear them. Must be performed or play a recording of it.
D: Your song is barely acceptable. You made one, but it does not reflect effort or a real understanding of what a protest song is supposed to be. There are multiple factual or spelling errors. Must be performed or play a recording of it.
F: Give me a break. How can you mess this up? Write a song that protests something. The only way you can get this grade is if you don't do anything or if you didn't pay one second of attention in class.
**//Cry Freetown//**
Be advised that this documentary is very disturbing, but it strikes at the heart of the issue of conflict diamonds and Sierra Leone's Civil War.Issues raised by this documentary:
Assignment: Songs of Protest
One story that emerges from the Sierra Leone's civil war is that of the refugee. Many people were displaced by this conflict internally and externally. Some people left for the Republic of Guinea where they were housed in the Sembakounya Refugee Camp. Within this chaos and human misery emerged a music group, Refugee All Stars.This assignment is threefold:
- Understand and appreciate protest music, and the global sounds of West African music.
- Understand and appreciate what the life of a refugee is like.
- Create a song, perform it or record it to be played in class.
Part I.)The Refugee All Stars
Another song to listen from the Refugee All Stars
Find more Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars songs at Myspace Music
Directions: Analyze the song Weapon Conflict in terms of its message and purpose.
Background: From 1991 to 2002, the small West African country of Sierra Leone was
devastated by civil war in which brutal war crimes were committed by all sides. To
escape the violence, hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled to the neighboring
country of Guinea, where they lived for years in United Nations refugee camps. Out of
these circumstances emerged the band, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, who perform
the song Weapon Conflict.
Lyrics to Weapon Conflict
A weapon conflict for the sake of power (repeats)
When two elephants are fighting
The grass they will suffer
(repeats)
Which is the position of the civilian, Lord I cry
Them a big fool us (repeats)
Have no mercy for the old ones
Have no mercy for the children
Have no mercy for the women
Oh, we a go suffer (repeats)
Questions
1. What social issues are addressed in this song?
2. Explain the main message or theme of this song.
3. How do the historical context details provided on this page (see above) and the images in the
video help you to interpret this song?
4. What the main message or theme of this song?
Example 2 (additional song) Grand Master Flash //Don't Push Me//
Part II - "This is our song"
In preparation for you to actually write a protest song you will have to know something about the issues impacting on the African continent. They are varied, but there are some themes that your text identifies. Therefore, begin by reading pp. 460-469.
In addition to that above consider any other issue of importance in Africa:
- Child soldiers Emmanual Jal
- Conflict diamonds
- Human trafficking
Now comes the fun part. Write and perform a song (live or recorded).Keep It Simple
Three Even Easier Steps for Writing a Protest Song
1. Pick a topic.
2. Pick a song you like and are familiar with.
3. Replace that song's lyrics with your own lyrics about your topic.
4. Sing!
Rubric:
This assignment is worth 25 points and applies to the Tests and Projects.
A: Your song demonstrates effort, and accurately reflects themes from Africa. It is neatly typed and free from spelling errors. Your song also makes sense and totally rocks. It's the kind of song someone of my limited taste would gladly put on an album. To earn the “A” you must perform or play a recording of your song for the class.
B/B+: Your song reflects effort. It may contain a minor factual error but it demonstrates your understanding of protest music. It is neatly typed and is basically free from spelling errors. Must be performed or play a recording of it.
C/C+: You get the idea of protest music, but your song does not demonstrate effort and/or it may contain more than one factual error. It may have multiple spelling errors or obvious problems with rhyme or meter. Hey, I'm not a Language Arts teacher, but I know problems when I hear them. Must be performed or play a recording of it.
D: Your song is barely acceptable. You made one, but it does not reflect effort or a real understanding of what a protest song is supposed to be. There are multiple factual or spelling errors. Must be performed or play a recording of it.
F: Give me a break. How can you mess this up? Write a song that protests something. The only way you can get this grade is if you don't do anything or if you didn't pay one second of attention in class.
Time allocation - one full hour of collaboration
Due date: TBA